harvesl

I believe Mathijs did mention that scenery wise, they're looking to make the transition from FS9/FSX --> AFS2012 as quick and simple as possible. However, aircraft definitely won't be, a major overhaul is needed from FS9/FSX that would simply make any FS9/FSX aircraft completely incompatible.

Unfortunately, should third-party developers get involved from the start, it'll drive the price of the simulator up considerably, which would limit the market. EDIT: However, having said that, I think it'd be extremely beneficial should third-party developers be allowed to start designing aircraft/scenery prior to the release, with the intention of there being add-ons as the simulator is released. That would be a very efficient way of getting those on X-Plane, FS9 and FSX, specifically the latter two, onto the platform; as opposed to waiting for there to be development.

Well the whole point of me suggesting only having a single aircraft was to increase the development time, and allow them to concentrate on the foundations of the simulator. More aircraft can be added later, both by Aerosoft and 3rd-party developers. Better still, get 3rd-party aircraft developers involved from the start to really allow Aerosoft to focus on the physical side of AFS2012. Ultimately, doing thirteen aircraft is just to please people, as you say, and they most likely will be of FSX standard, which was fine for the MSFS market, but probably wouldn't be for the AFS2012 market. It also depends on how they actually design the simulator, because the PMDG MD-11 may have taken years to do for FS9/FSX, but if Aerosoft were to optimise the way in which AFS2012 can be manipulated, they could probably cut down development time considerably. I think, for me at least, there's a real need for a new simulator. I personally greatly dislike FSX, it's the product of Microsoft pushing very old engines beyond their limit, so would like to see the Aerosoft Simulator around 2012, if not sooner. My suggestion of doing one aircraft, while counter-productive for the market, was just my way of saying "Get the foundations of the simulator right, and worry about the expandable content once the simulator is released".

The development of the aircraft in RoF and IL2 can't be compared to the development of a realistic Concorde, or B744; they're just miles apart in terms of complexity, and would take significantly longer.

For there to be multiple aircraft within AFS2012, they'd have to be of FS9/FSX standard, considering decent aircraft can take years to develop.

A "good quality" private jet, such as the Citation, can take years to do, I just don't think their time is best invested making something that can be done once the simulator is released.

At the end of the day, trying to make even ten aircraft for AFS2012 is going to be a tall-order. I'd much rather see any single aircraft modelled extremely well, showing off what the simulator is capable of, as opposed to 5-10 simple aircraft that people won't want to fly, until 3rd party developers have intervened.

Thanks Mathijs, it sounds like a good idea, combining the two aspects of X-Plane and FS9/FSX to make an overall better system. For the purpose of not spending a lot of time on the 'content', such as aircraft, I'd say model a Seneca/Diamond Twin Star extremely well.

Mathijs, can you comment on the 'approach' that Aerosoft is going to take in regards to the realism/physical side of the simulator, in regards to flight dynamics etc.? I, for one, would much rather see the foundations of the simulator done fantastically, physics engine, with only a single, very well done, aircraft; making it an excellent platform to for third-party developers, as well as Aerosoft, to expand upon.

What's planned in regards to the depiction of flight? Physics engine?